Star Staffing Alpena hosting mitten drive

Star Staffing Alpena is sponsoring a mitten/hat drive at their office at 537 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena.

They encourage community members to hang some mittens or hats on the Mitten Tree in their office.

Monetary gifts, which will be used to purchase mittens and hats, are appreciated too.

Wildlife board discusses River Center, frogbit

Reports on frogbit and River Center plans were the main topics for the recent Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board meeting.

The invasive frogbit continues to be a major problem in the waters of the Alpena area and its eradication was discussed by Heather Rawlings of U.S. Fish and Wildlife. She is setting up a working committee to address the European frogbit issue, which she says needs to be attacked at its source site, which is Fletcher Floodwaters near Hillman.

Construction plans for the first phase of the River Center were reported by chair Judy Kalmanek. Phase 1 would include buidling a pavilion and bathrooms. Construction Adviser Dennis Schultz is currently working with the architect, Bruce Johnson.

Other River Center reports included plans for Magic in Our Midst on Island Park on Dec. 10 and Festivus/Reel Fun on Feb. 18 and 19. Magic in Our Midst has new animals for the walk on Island Park.

Festivus, the meal the night before the Reel Fun ice fishing tournament, this year will be a drive-through winter picnic at Duck Park.

In other comments at the Wildlife Sanctuary meeting, Catherine Stedman stated that a bench has been donated to the Garden Club’s butterfly garden and is located near the water tower in Duck Park.

Susie Austin noted that help is needed for repairs to the fishing docks at Island Park. A volunteer is also needed to help with Giving Tuesday online coordinating. Giving Tuesday is on Nov. 30 this year.